Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-09

TIE RRIGHAM-ZUBLA TROUBLE.
The difficulty which occurred between
Consul Brigham CT Paso del Norte end
the Mexican Judge Iubio, as teIegrhphed
THE GAZETTE, is likely to lead to diplC-
matte correspondence between this gov
ernment and the sister republic OF an IN
usual nature. Heretofore complaints OF
Mexican insoience and outrage have been
confined to attacks upon the individual
citizen in his capacity as such, out the
assault upon Consul Brigham, # correctly
reported, is an attack upon the govern
ment itself. 1t is 8 matter Of surprise
that q Judge, occupying the position
which Judge Iubie holds, should so fer
forget himself as to commit en- act which
might possibly embroiI his country in s
war with & neighborng state which must
result in a speedy triumph of the latter,
but the reports sent to Washington by
Consul Brigham and Colonel C0wart
would indicate that such is the case. 1t
should be remembered however. that due
allowance must be made for excitement
and passion in the ex parte statement be-
fore us and final Judgment should be sus-
pended until the facts in the case are fully
set forth and the offence clearly establish
ed. That Mexican Judges and officials
are arrogant and lnsolent we all know
that the courts of justice, so-calIed, are
engines of revenge and blackmail very
often, is fact not disputed, but the case
under consideration bears on its face the
possibility of wrong doing on both sides.
According to their own statements the
American officials had been waiting
several days to secure al audience from
the Mexican Judge. This, Of course, was
annoying, and enough to try the patience
OF any one severely. Finally day was
set for q hearing OF the cause, and at the
hour named, the Americans appeared at
the Judges court and swaited his pleas
ure one hour, but he failed to keep his
promise by putting in an appearance.
This was quite ex.sperating The
Americans then proceeded to the private
residence OF the Mexican Judge "to
ascertain Why he did not try the case. -
Failing to obtain satisfaction, our consul
was struck Just as he left the Judges
residence. lie assures US that nothing
insulting occurred during the visit, bat
than IS he left, the Judge followed him
outside the door and struck him. This
may be literally true, but il is not accord
ing TO the natural order of things. When
we consider Consul Brigham's frsme of
mind sfter being worried for several days,
sitter waiting in vain st the courtroom and
sitter an interview at the judge
residence which had terminated with
cut accomplishing its purpose,
we may well believe that our represent.
ative was thoroughly iTritated and dis
gusted, and an offensive word as he left
the Judges presence wassone of the most
natural things in the world. That the
Mexican Judge was also in g frame OF
mind to resent an insult when thrown at
him as Parthian arrow, we may we'll be-
lieye, but thst he should leave his house,
where everything was in his favor, and
attack Consul Brigham on the street
where he would have, st least, only an
equal showing, does not appear probable,
especially when no cause was given for
the assault. Consul Brigham asserts
that he has been irsulted "while in the
discharge of his duty" This also is
questionable 1t is not the duty Of an
American consul to hunt up personally
Mexican officials, cor does this country
require Of its consuls to invade the pri-
vate residences of Mexican officials to as
certain why they do not co thus snd SO.
For all official business Judge Zubia has
court and place wherein it may be
transacted, and his private residence IS
sacred to himself and his family. II
these precincts are invaded by an Ameri-
lean consul, he goes there as an American
citizen on his own individual responsible
ity, and not IS q representative of this
government. Tae conduct of Judge Zubia
while at his home is also the conduct OF
a private citizen, and not of a iadge. If
Consul Brigham could not obtain hear
ing, and il there were unreasonable delays
in the administration Of justice, IT. is no
-, I~x
Unlike these delays which /gents